12FICHE Responders’ equipment and means of protection MEDICAL RESPONSE STRATEGY If there is any uncertainty about the nature of the event, the rule is that the first responders3 must have maximum protection. It is only after any doubt has been removed, particularly regarding whether an associated chemical component is involved, that the protective garments can be adapted. Emergency response and emergency medical aid teams 3. National recommendations concerning protective clothing for RN risks (see INRS sheet “Personal Protective Equipment “ED 6077: https://www.inrs.fr/media.html?refINRS=ED%206077 and “Protective clothing”, sheet, ED 995: https://www.inrs.fr/media.html?refINRS=ED%20995). 4. Within the meaning of the SGDSN guide of 8 March 2021 – Good practices for deploying a Victim Assembly Area in the event of a chemical, biological, radiological or nuclear incident. 06SHEET The teams must protect themselves to avoid being exposed to the radiological and nuclear (RN) risk, or to ensure that any such exposure is kept as low as possible. If there is any uncertainty about the nature of the event, the rule is to choose Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) that provides the first responders with maximum protection. After dispelling any doubt and eliminating an associated chemical (C) risk, the PPE used can be adapted accordingly. First-line PPE pending confirmation that there is only a radiological risk: garment permeable to air for the Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear (CBRN) risk and CBRN mask with filter cartridge The professionals who are required to approach the closest to the site of the event wear appropriate garments for intervention in a hostile environment according to the zone in which they are situated and the nature of the risk (vapour, gas, dust). • The SMUR personnel, the Fire Brigade (FB) personnel of the Fire and Rescue Services (FRS), including the Rapid Response Health Unit (RRHU) and the Mobile Radiological Response Units (MRRU) personnel, and the Internal Security Forces (ISF) are trained to intervene in controlled zones at the Victim Assembly Area (VAA). They are all equipped with PPE that is appropriate for chemical and radiological risks and masks with a broad spectrum cartridge providing P3 filtration effectiveness (ABEK 2 P3 NBC standard) which must be kept constantly operational by the healthcare facilities concerned (through the general interest mission funding delegated by the General Directorate for Health (DGS). The Regional Health Agencies check that the healthcare facilities keep the PPE operational. • The FB personnel of the FRS, and the MRRU personnel in particular, are trained to intervene in exclusion zones4. They are equipped with appropriate protective garments that are permeable to air, in accordance with the equipment policy of each FRS. Respiratory protection is ensured by broad-spectrum CBRN cartridge filter masks with P3 filtration effectiveness. In situations of life-threatening emergency, the SMUR and the FRS RRHU personnel can also intervene in exclusion zones if they have appropriate PPE. Second-line PPE once the chemical risk has been excluded The means of protection are not bulky, are rapidly donned and do not unduly hamper the technical actions. Once the chemical risk has been excluded, the SMUR and FB personnel, including the RRHUs, can use PPE that is appropriate for the RN risk (non-woven coverall + FFP3 mask or, failing this, FFP2 + safety glasses + overboots + gloves). SEE SHEET 22 © ASN/P. Beuf © M. Deschouvert 24 MEDICAL RESPONSE IN NUCLEAR OR RADIOLOGICAL EMERGENCY
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